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Agonis flexuosa
Agonis flexuosa
Agonis flexuosa
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Agonis flexuosa
Flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Agonis
Species:
A. flexuosa
Binomial name
Agonis flexuosa
Synonyms[1]
List
In Peppermint Grove parkland
Bark

Agonis flexuosa, commonly known as peppermint,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. The Noongar peoples know the tree as wanil, wonnow, wonong[3] or wannang.[4] It is a tree or shrub with pendulous, very narrowly elliptic, narrowly elliptic or narrowly egg-shaped leaves, white flowers with 20 to 25 stamens opposite the sepals and broadly top-shaped to broadly cup-shaped capsules.

Description

[edit]

Agonis flexuosa is usually a tree that typically grows to a height of 10 m (33 ft), sometimes a wind-swept mallee or almost prostrate shrub. Its branchlets are often twisted or zig-zagged, and usually glabrous as they age. The leaves are very narrowly elliptic, narrowly elliptic or narrowly egg-shaped, 80–135 mm (3.1–5.3 in) long and 3.5–12 mm (0.14–0.47 in) wide and sessile or on a petiole up to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. The leaves sometimes have soft, silky hairs when young, but become glabrous as they age, and have a prominent mid-vein and usually two other veins. The flowers are arranged in clusters 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) wide with broadly egg-shaped bracts and elliptic bracteoles 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long. The floral tube is 1.5–2 mm (0.059–0.079 in) long and the sepals are 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long with silky, greyish hairs. The petals are white, spatula-shaped, 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long and there are 20 to 25 stamens with 3 to 5, sometimes up to 7 opposite the sepals, but none opposite the petals. The filaments are 1–1.5 mm (0.039–0.059 in) long and the style 1–2.5 mm (0.039–0.098 in) long. Flowering occurs from July to December, and the capsule is broadly top-shaped to broadly cup-shaped, 2.5–4 mm (0.098–0.157 in) long, in clusters 6–10 mm (0.24–0.39 in) wide.[2][5][6]

Taxonomy

[edit]

This species was first formally described in 1809 by Carl Ludwig Willdenow who gave it the name Metrosideros flexuosa in his Enumeratio Plantarum Horti Regii Botanici Berolinensis.[7][8] In 1830, Robert Sweet transferred the species to Agonis in his Hortus Britannicus.[9][10]

The genus name Agonis comes from the Greek agon meaning 'a gathering' or 'collection', probably referring to the flower heads[11] and the specific epithet (flexuosa) is Latin for 'zig-zag', referring to the zig-zag branches.[12]

In 1844, Johannes Conrad Schauer describes two varieties of A. flexuosa and the names are accepted by the Australian Plant Census:

  • Agonis flexuosa var. flexuosa[13] is a tree up to 10 m (33 ft) high or a wind-pruned shrub, the branches sometimes zig-zagged, with leaves very narrowly elliptic, narrowly elliptic or narrowly egg-shaped, 80–135 mm (3.1–5.3 in) long and more or less flat and not twisted or wavy, and only the mid-vein prominent, the petals 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long, usually 4 or 5 stamens opposite each petal, and the capsules usually 2.5–3.5 mm (0.098–0.138 in) wide. This variety mostly flowers from September to December.[5]
  • Agonis flexuosa var. latifolia[14] (previously known as Billotia flexuosa var. latifolia Otto & A.Dietr.)[15] is a shrub or small tree tup to 4 m (13 ft) high, the branches commonly zig-zagged, with leaves usually narrowly egg-shaped, 18–45 mm (0.71–1.77 in) long and often twisted, the mid-vein and two longitudinal veins prominent, the petals 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long, with 3 or 4 stamens opposite each petal, and the capsules 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) wide. This variety mainly flowers from September to November.[5]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

Agonis flexuosa var. flexuosa occurs in a range of habitats from coastal heath to woodland or forest and in a range of soils, in the Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain and Warren bioregions of south-western Western Australia,[5][16] and var. latifolia mainly grows in sandy soil in heath, shrubland or woodland between Walpole and Cheyne Beach in the Esperance Plains, Jarrah Forest and Warren bioregions, with a record from the Stirling Range.[5][17]

Uses

[edit]

Use in horticulture

[edit]

Horticultural variants are probably derived from the widespread population, growing as shrubs or trees and perhaps being flowerless. Some commercially produced cultivars include Agonis ‘Belbra Gold’ and Agonis ‘Fairy Foliage’.[5]

Aboriginal use

[edit]

The Noongar peoples used the plant leaves as an antiseptic; sapling trunks were used as spear shafts and digging sticks.[4]

References

[edit]
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Agonis flexuosa

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from Grokipedia
Agoni flexuosa, commonly known as the willow myrtle or tree, is an evergreen tree or shrub native to southwestern , recognized for its graceful weeping habit, aromatic foliage, and clusters of small white flowers. Belonging to the family , it typically reaches heights of 6–10 meters with a broad, domed canopy and pendulous branchlets that at nodes, giving rise to its specific flexuosa, derived from the Latin for "full of bends." The genus name Agonis comes from "," meaning "assembly" or "gathering," alluding to the crowded umbels of its flowers. Its leaves are long, narrow, and grey-green, emitting a distinctive when crushed, while the rough, fibrous brown or grey bark adds textural interest. Flowering occurs from July to December, producing star-shaped white blooms that attract birds and give way to woody capsules. In its natural habitat, Agonis flexuosa thrives in coastal dunes, outcrops, and areas across regions such as the and Esperance Plains, on substrates like white or grey , , and sandy soils. To the people of southwestern , it is known as "Wannang," with leaves traditionally used as an . Widely cultivated beyond its native range, it serves as an ornamental street or shade tree in parks and urban landscapes, valued for its moderate growth rate, drought and wind tolerance, and adaptability to coastal conditions, full sun, and a variety of soils including clay, , and with pH from acidic to alkaline. It is also moderately frost-tolerant and salt-resistant, making it a popular native alternative to exotic willows in Australian .

Taxonomy

Classification and nomenclature

Agonis flexuosa belongs to the Agonis (DC.) Sweet in the family Juss., a diverse group of predominantly woody characterized by opposite leaves and often showy flowers with numerous stamens. The Agonis is recognized as comprising four accepted in its strict sense—A. flexuosa, A. anethifolia, A. hypericifolia, and A. juniperina—all endemic to the southwestern region of , following a taxonomic revision that segregated broader elements into new genera. The species was originally described by Carl Ludwig Willdenow as Metrosideros flexuosa in 1809, based on material cultivated in the Berlin Botanical Garden. In 1830, Robert Sweet recombined it as Agonis flexuosa (Willd.) Sweet in the second edition of Hortus Britannicus, thereby establishing its current placement and binomial authority. This transfer reflected emerging understandings of myrtaceous taxonomy, distinguishing Agonis from based on and characters. The generic name Agonis derives from the Greek word , meaning "a gathering" or "collection," alluding to the compact, globular clusters of small flowers or fruits typical of the . The specific flexuosa is from the Latin flexuosus, denoting "full of bends" or "," which describes the distinctive sinuous arrangement of the young branchlets. Notable synonyms include flexuosum (Willd.) Spreng. and Billottia flexuosa (Willd.) DC., reflecting historical placements in related myrtaceous genera. The name Agonis flexuosa (Willd.) is the accepted binomial according to the Australian Plant Census, with a neotype designated from collections in the Perth to stabilize .

Varieties and cultivars

Agonis flexuosa is represented by two botanical varieties, distinguished primarily by growth habit, leaf morphology, and geographic distribution. The nominate variety, var. flexuosa, is the typical taller form, attaining heights of 10 m with a tree-like structure and lanceolate leaves measuring 45–135 mm long and 3.5–12 mm wide; it occurs widely across the coastal regions of southwestern . In contrast, var. latifolia exhibits a shrubby habit, reaching up to 4 m in height, with shorter, broader leaves under 45 mm long that are often twisted, and fewer stamens (15–20 per flower); this variety is restricted to sandy soils in heath, , or woodland habitats between Walpole and Cheyne Beach in the Esperance Plains, , and Warren bioregions. Numerous cultivars of A. flexuosa have been selected and propagated for horticultural use, varying in foliage color, plant size, and overall form to suit diverse landscape needs. 'After Dark' (synonym 'Jervis Bay Afterdark') is notable for its deep burgundy-red foliage that emerges scarlet on new growth, maintaining a weeping similar to the but growing to 5–8 m tall and 3–4.5 m wide; it originated as a spontaneous selected in 1985 at Nurseries in , , and is protected under Plant Breeder's Rights (PBR). 'Nana' represents a dwarf selection, likely derived from var. latifolia, forming a compact 1.2–1.8 m tall and wide with dense, bright green foliage and red new tips, ideal for low hedges or containers. Other cultivars include 'Belbra Gold', which displays upright growth to 6–8 m with striking golden-yellow leaves providing year-round color contrast, originally bred in and registered under PBR; and 'Fairy Foliage', a small, compact form up to 2 m tall featuring fine-textured, weeping green leaves for delicate ornamental appeal. These cultivars differ from the wild varieties in enhanced aesthetic traits, such as intensified leaf coloration in 'After Dark' and 'Belbra Gold' versus the green foliage of 'Nana' and 'Fairy Foliage', alongside reduced stature and more controlled for urban planting.

Description

Growth form and morphology

Agonis flexuosa exhibits a versatile growth form, typically developing as an reaching up to 10 m in height with pendulous branches that impart a distinctive weeping . In more exposed coastal environments, it may adopt shrubby or mallee forms up to 4 m tall, or even prostrate habits approaching ground level. At maturity, the canopy spreads 6–10 m wide, forming a broad, irregular crown supported by multiple trunks in some specimens. The bark is coarse, red-brown, and often exfoliating on mature trees, while lignotuberous bases in mallee forms feature rougher, fibrous textures. Branchlets display a characteristic zig-zag, flexuose pattern, appearing somewhat angular and initially covered in fine, silky hairs that soon become glabrescent, enhancing the pendulous structure of the foliage. Leaves are arranged alternately and hang pendulously, with shapes ranging from very narrowly elliptic to narrowly ovate, occasionally falcate or twisted; they measure 18–135 mm long and 3.5–12 mm wide. When crushed, the leaves release a strong odor attributable to essential oils within the foliage.

Flowers, fruit, and phenology

The flowers of Agonis flexuosa are white, drying to cream, and measure 8–12 mm in . They consist of five that are ovate-triangular, 1–2 mm long, and greyish sericeous with an acute to obtuse apex; five spathulate-obovate petals, 3–6 mm long with an indistinct claw up to 1.5 mm; and 20–25 stamens, with 3–5 (occasionally up to 7) opposite each , featuring filaments 1–1.5 mm long and anthers 0.2–0.3 mm long. The floral tube is 1.5–2 mm long, glabrous in the lower two-thirds and sericeous in the distal third, extending about 0.5 mm above the , while the style measures 3–4 mm long. The forms axillary globular heads 10–15 mm across, often with 3–10 flowers, comprising simple umbels or compound dichasial cymes. These heads include few basal sterile bracts that are broadly ovate, circular, or obovate, 1.5–2 mm long, densely sericeous, and obtuse at the apex; bracteoles are narrowly elliptic to obovate-elliptic, 1–1.5 mm long and 0.5–1 mm wide, also densely sericeous. is likely facilitated by , such as bees. The fruit develops as broadly turbinate to cup-shaped capsules, 2.5–4 mm in diameter, that are hairy in the distal part or become glabrescent, splitting into 3–5 valves. Each capsule contains numerous small , typically 1–2 per cell (with 5–6 ovules per cell), which are to , elliptic-obovoid, minutely papillose, and minutely apically winged; infertile seeds are cream-colored and angular to narrowly obovoid. These are dispersed primarily by or . Phenologically, A. flexuosa flowers from to , spanning winter to in its native range, with peak blooming in spring. Fruit maturation follows flowering, persisting from onward for at least a year on the plant.

Distribution and ecology

Geographic range

Agonis flexuosa is endemic to the southwest of , occurring naturally in coastal regions from near Jurien Bay in the north to Albany in the south, spanning approximately 400 km along the coastline. The species is distributed across five major Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) bioregions: Geraldton Sandplains, , , Warren, and Esperance Plains. The nominate variety, A. flexuosa var. flexuosa, occupies a broad extent within these bioregions, whereas var. latifolia is confined to a restricted 50 km coastal stretch near Walpole, primarily in the Esperance Plains, , and Warren bioregions. Beyond its native distribution, Agonis flexuosa has been widely introduced for ornamental and horticultural purposes in , , and eastern . In some introduced areas, such as coastal regions of Victoria, it has become naturalized.

Habitat and ecological associations

Agonis flexuosa thrives in coastal environments of southwestern , particularly in heathlands, sand dunes, and along granite outcrops and formations. It prefers well-drained sandy soils, including white or grey sands, lateritic profiles, and loams or clays, with tolerance for a range of levels from slightly acidic to alkaline. This often dominates low open woodlands or shrublands on the and similar coastal fringes, where it forms the primary canopy layer in peppermint-dominated communities. The plant is adapted to a with annual rainfall typically ranging from 500 to 1000 mm, concentrated in winter, and although moderately frost-tolerant, severe frosts limit its inland extent. Ecologically, it forms symbiotic associations with both ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi, enhancing nutrient uptake in nutrient-poor sandy substrates. Agonis flexuosa supports local by providing nectar-rich flowers that attract honeyeaters and other birds, as well as habitat for , including pollinators that visit its blooms from to ; its foliage and bark also host grubs consumed by foraging birds. Key adaptations include moderate salt tolerance, enabling persistence in coastal zones exposed to sea spray, and drought resistance once established, supported by deep root systems rather than lignotubers. In fire-prone ecosystems, it exhibits resprouting capacity post-fire, contributing to vegetation recovery in shrublands and woodlands. Threats to wild populations are primarily from and clearing for agriculture and urban development, with no major native pests reported; however, it shows high susceptibility to the invasive pathogen Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust), which can cause severe defoliation and mortality in affected stands.

Human uses

Horticulture and cultivation

Agonis flexuosa is propagated primarily from seeds, which germinate readily without pretreatment when sown fresh in a well-drained seed-raising mix, though seedlings may be susceptible to if kept overly moist. Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer provide another effective method, particularly for maintaining cultivars, although rooting can be slow. In cultivation, this thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils such as clay, , or , with a range of 6.0 to 8.0 or higher; it is hardy in USDA zones 9a to 11b and tolerates drought, moderate salt, and wind once established. moderately during establishment, then reduce to occasional deep to mimic its native sandy coastal tolerances, avoiding overwatering to prevent root issues. young to shape and in late winter for maintenance, promoting a dense, weeping form up to 25-35 feet tall and 15-30 feet wide in optimal conditions. Landscape applications include use as a specimen , screen, or avenue planting in public parks, streets, and large gardens, where its graceful pendulous branches and spring-summer white flowers attract songbirds and pollinators; it suits due to low water needs and coastal settings. Popular cultivars enhance versatility: 'After Dark' (also known as 'Jervis Bay Afterdark') offers striking burgundy foliage for color contrast in borders or accents, while 'Nana' forms a compact to about 10-13 feet ideal for smaller gardens or containers. Common pests include , scale insects, spider mites, and willow leaf beetles, while diseases such as root and crown rot pose risks in poorly drained or wet soils; it is also highly susceptible to myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii), an invasive fungal affecting many species. The leaves' , containing monoterpenes such as and exhibiting antimicrobial properties, may contribute to natural pest deterrence. Agonis flexuosa has been commercially available since the early and remains widely traded for ornamental purposes in temperate and subtropical regions.

Traditional uses

The people of southwestern have traditionally utilized Agonis flexuosa, known to them as Wanil, Wonnow, Wonong, or Wannang, in various cultural and medicinal practices. were infused or crushed to create an wash applied to wounds, leveraging the plant's natural properties derived from its volatile oils that produce a distinctive aroma when the narrow, lance-shaped leaves are bruised. Saplings and young branches served practical purposes in tool-making; straight sapling trunks were fashioned into shafts, while sturdy branches were shaped into digging sticks for gathering food resources such as roots and tubers. These applications highlight the plant's role in Noongar bush medicine and daily sustenance, as documented in ethnographic accounts of Indigenous knowledge in the region's coastal woodlands. In modern contexts, the traditional medicinal value of A. flexuosa leaves has been extended through limited extraction of essential oils for potential and applications. Hydrodistillation of shade-dried leaves yields approximately 4.6% oil, rich in monoterpenes such as (45.8%), α-thujene (12.5%), and (9.1%), which contribute to its peppermint-like scent and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against pathogens like and .

References

  1. https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5316
  2. https://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/2929
  3. https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/environment/trees/willow-myrtle
  4. https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/documents/services/urban-forest/tree-species-fact-sheets/tree-species-infosheets-web_05-agonis-flexuosa.pdf
  5. https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/science/nuytsia/414.pdf
  6. https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/22478
  7. https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Agonis_flexuosa
  8. https://keys.landcareresearch.co.nz/nzmyrtaceae/key/nzmyrtaceae/Media/Html/entities/Agonis_flexuosa.htm
  9. https://www.jungledragon.com/specie/40126/agonis-flexuosa.html
  10. https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2900
  11. https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3470
  12. https://plantfileonline.net/plants/plant_profile_report/NzU%253D
  13. https://anpsa.org.au/plant_profiles/agonis-flexuosa/
  14. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/science/nuytsia/414.pdf
  15. https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=88
  16. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/agonis-flexuosa/
  17. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1263&context=pharmacy_facpubs
  18. https://plantlust.com/plants/8127/agonis-flexuosa/
  19. https://ecoxplore.org/ecoregions/south-west-australia-woodlands/
  20. https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/17203
  21. https://plantinfo.co.za/plant/agonis-flexuosa/
  22. https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/agonis_flexuosa.htm
  23. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/5316
  24. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/17202
  25. https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/17203
  26. https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/files/26852214/THESIS_DOCTOR_OF_PHILOSOPHY_WHITE_Helen_Amy_2018.pdf
  27. https://www.jerramungup.wa.gov.au/Profiles/jerramungup/Assets/ClientData/Documents/Fire_Control/Vegetation_Management_Guide_8A_Final_map_update_March_12_R.pdf
  28. https://mycorrhizas.info/ozplants.html
  29. https://gcln.org.au/use/bird-attracting/
  30. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237611819_Native_insect_flower_visitor_diversity_and_feral_honeybees_on_jarrah_Eucalyptus_marginata_in_Kings_Park_an_urban_bushland_remnant
  31. https://properties.curtin.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/02/curtin-tree-replacement-plan-v3-compressed.pdf
  32. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227872758_Responses_of_forest_eucalypts_to_moderate_and_high_intensity_fire_in_the_Tingle_Mosaic_south-western_Australia_Comparisons_between_locally_endemic_and_regionally_distributed_species
  33. https://connectsci.au/pc/article-lookup/doi/10.1071/PC24024
  34. https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/media/3017/download
  35. https://swdc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/suseptible-mr-species.pdf
  36. https://www.australianseed.com/shop/item/agonis-flexuosa
  37. https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/media/3771/download
  38. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331629958_CHEMICAL_COMPOSITION_AND_ANTIMICROBIAL_PROPERTIES_OF_ESSENTIAL_OIL_OF_AGONIS_FLEXUOSA
  39. https://govhouse.wa.gov.au/office-of-the-governor/the-gardens/significant-trees/wa-weeping-peppermint/
  40. https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/visit/environment/trees-shrubs-plants/plants/willow-myrtle
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